A resolve appearing in this unexperienced man - a reminder that a persona awakened in his spirit, however tempered he acts. There's rebellion. There's drive. There's power.
It reminds him -
Of cards floating against his skull in the middle of a warped casino - the specific sort of elation that came with standing beside someone with the same fiery temperament, no matter how twisted their paths were from one another. Nothing stopped Joker until the bitter, painful end.
And nothing will stop Akechi. Nothing will stop Maruki.
The honorific dropped - a new sensation forged in that sudden respect, in affection, in trust, in a friend.
He wants to throw up. Says nothing about it. Steels himself to face a cornered, injured creature. Listens to his companion's tone.
There's an authority in Akechi's voice that hasn't existed in months - firm and wound. Coiled with ire. Unraveling slowly into a tempered calm. ]
It's weakened, but don't let your guard down. You've been watching the fights - you know their attack and defense patterns. Don't psych yourself out.
[A bloodied dagger points towards a mark on the creature's neck - battered by Robin Hood and Akechi alike. Skin ripped, flayed open to pinky flesh and blue veins. A final blow is needed.]
Hit the weak point and end this. I'll make sure the creature is distracted, but if you don't commit -
[His stance doesn't change - only his gaze shifts to the side to watch. Maruki has proven himself in some ways. Disproven in others. Killing is a whole new level - shadow, monster or person. No persona to blame. The blood will be on his hands.]
We both die. Robin Hood is out of stamina. This is up to you now.
[In truth, Akechi will be able to eviscerate the creature before either one of them is ruined. Robin Hood still has a bit of SP left to use.
It's a matter of seeing how far Maruki is willing to go.]
cw: violence, graphic injury
A resolve appearing in this unexperienced man - a reminder that a persona awakened in his spirit, however tempered he acts. There's rebellion. There's drive. There's power.
It reminds him -
Of cards floating against his skull in the middle of a warped casino - the specific sort of elation that came with standing beside someone with the same fiery temperament, no matter how twisted their paths were from one another. Nothing stopped Joker until the bitter, painful end.
And nothing will stop Akechi. Nothing will stop Maruki.
The honorific dropped - a new sensation forged in that sudden respect, in affection, in trust, in a friend.
He wants to throw up. Says nothing about it. Steels himself to face a cornered, injured creature. Listens to his companion's tone.
There's an authority in Akechi's voice that hasn't existed in months - firm and wound. Coiled with ire. Unraveling slowly into a tempered calm. ]
It's weakened, but don't let your guard down. You've been watching the fights - you know their attack and defense patterns. Don't psych yourself out.
[A bloodied dagger points towards a mark on the creature's neck - battered by Robin Hood and Akechi alike. Skin ripped, flayed open to pinky flesh and blue veins. A final blow is needed.]
Hit the weak point and end this. I'll make sure the creature is distracted, but if you don't commit -
[His stance doesn't change - only his gaze shifts to the side to watch. Maruki has proven himself in some ways. Disproven in others. Killing is a whole new level - shadow, monster or person. No persona to blame. The blood will be on his hands.]
We both die. Robin Hood is out of stamina. This is up to you now.
[In truth, Akechi will be able to eviscerate the creature before either one of them is ruined. Robin Hood still has a bit of SP left to use.
It's a matter of seeing how far Maruki is willing to go.]
Are you ready, Maruki?